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an. 31, Online

Trisakti University legal expert Asep Iwan Iriawan regretted the police decision to file murder charges against Apriyani, reckless driver who had been named suspect after a traffic accident that claimed nine lives last week.

“Apriyani drove under the influence, thus her consciousness was jeopardized at that time, while planning a murder you would definitely need your consciousness, right?” former Supreme Court justice Asep told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

He said the police were pushing their luck by applying such charges in this case.

The comment was made following remarks made by Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto who stated that the police had filed murder charges for reckless driving in dossiers against Apriyani.

He reasoned that the decision to issue additional charges was the result of thorough consultation between the police, witnesses and legal experts.

The police had previously accused Apriyani of having violated the Traffic Law for driving under the influence of narcotics and without a driver’s license.

Your comments:

Someone under the influence is less likely to plan a murder, thus a premeditated murder charge will not stick. However, a manslaughter charge could still stick, given the evidence.
Christa Christopherson
Jakarta

You are responsible of everything you do, sober or not. To be sober or not is your choice.

The fact is that this lady killed several innocent people. It was her decision to get high. It was her decision to kill those people.

Had she chosen not to consume the drugs, she wouldn’t have killed those people.

Please don’t play with words in order to free a criminal.

We are talking about the taking of human lives here, intended or not. What do you call a person who took other people’s lives?

The simple answer is you call them a killer.
H. Iskandar
Los Angeles

From the moment you get behind the wheel — intoxicated and with your consciousness impaired, you risk your life and the lives of others around you.

Many people in the same situation have opted to find a designated driver or simply not drive and take public transportation — and have avoided accidents such as this.

Granted there was no intention to commit murder, however, the fact that she chose not to think clearly proves that she has to be held responsible for her actions.

Otherwise, everyone could easily shirk blame by claiming they were not conscious!

“No, don’t send me to jail! I didn’t mean to run over those people! I was as high as a kite!” Please,
Debbie
Jakarta

The driver jolly well knew she was drinking and taking drugs — and yet still chose to drive? That is pretty much premeditation and intention to commit murder.
Antoni
Jakarta

Apriyani’s driving under the influence of hard liquor and drugs caused the deaths of nine people, but it was not premeditated, intentional murder.

Surely, she didn’t really intend to kill those nine victims? Please, let common sense and justice prevail.
R. Soetami Koestomo
Bogor